Israel-Hezbollah Cease-Fire Implemented: Key Details
A cease-fire, mediated by the U.S. and France, took effect in Lebanon on Wednesday morning, bringing hope for an end to over a year of ongoing cross-border conflicts and a major war that has claimed thousands of lives.
The cease-fire commenced at 4 a.m. local time (9 p.m. ET) following approval by Israel’s security cabinet and was subsequently announced by President Joe Biden. Early indications suggest that the cease-fire is holding well.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah was ignited by the situation in Gaza, where Israel launched military actions against Hamas following its attack on Israeli territories on October 7 of the previous year. Below are the details about the recently established cease-fire and its potential impact on the Middle East.
What are the cease-fire conditions?
The cease-fire aims to be permanent. However, it includes a provision for a 60-day cessation of hostilities to facilitate the withdrawal of Hezbollah’s fighters from the “Blue Line,” which is an unofficial border area between Israel and Lebanon, aligned alongside the Litani River. During the next two months, Israel will also begin a phased withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon.
Who will oversee the cease-fire?
The United States and France will be in charge of monitoring compliance, although this agreement only reinforces an existing United Nations Security Council resolution, 1701, which concluded a previous war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Under resolution 1701, only Lebanon’s government and UN peacekeepers, referred to as UNIFIL, are authorized to maintain forces and weapons south of the Litani River.
Diplomats and mediators from the U.S. and France will collaborate with the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL to prevent any breaches of the cease-fire, but there will be no deployment of American or French combat troops to the region.
What are the implications for the Gaza conflict?
This cease-fire does not directly tackle the ongoing war in Gaza, which escalated following Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 Israeli deaths and many abductions to Palestinian territories. Reports indicate that over 45,000 people in Gaza have lost their lives as a result of Israeli counteractions, according to the health ministry run by Hamas.
Hezbollah had previously stated it would cease attacks against Israel only if Israel halted its operations in Gaza. If the cease-fire holds, it may encourage Hamas to consider a truce. The White House has announced plans to renew efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza shortly.
What does the cease-fire imply for civilians?
The civilian population has suffered immensely due to the conflict, with numerous casualties and over a million people displaced from their homes in both Lebanon and Israel. Reports from Lebanese media have noted that many people are returning to their homes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, despite notices from Israel’s military advising against it.
In Israel, residents who had evacuated northern areas due to Hezbollah’s shelling and missile strikes expressed doubts about the viability of the cease-fire leading to lasting peace.
“Despite my struggles, I’d rather we continue to fight and agree to a ceasefire only when we truly hold the advantage,” said Miro Vahknin from the coastal city of Nahariya, speaking to the Times of Israel.